Space discharge tube



A. HUND Nov. 22, 1932.

SPACE DI SCHARGE TUBE Filed Sept. 29, 1931 NM ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 22, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

AUGUST HUND, or WEST ORANGE, NEW Jinn-sex, AssreNon TO WIRED RAD-1051116., on

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION orm LAWAnE SPACE msonancn runs Application filed September 29, 1931'. Serial No. 565,761.

My invention pertains in general to space discharge tubes and specifically relates to that type of space discharge tube utilizing glow or ionization discharge.

One of the objects of my invention consists in providing a tube for producing space conduction between cold electrodes by gaseous ionization. 7

Another object comprises providing a nonthermionic space discharge tube having electrodes disposed in a manner such as to reduce inter-electrode capacitance to a minimum.

I accomplish these and other desirable objects by a novel construction of space discharge tube having electrodes non-axially disposed in a containing envelope having an attenuated gaseous atmosphere.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification, and in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout 1 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the construction of the space discharge tube of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view relative position of the electrodes employed in my space discharge tube when viewed from the top; and

Fig. 3 is afragmentary View of the relative position of the electrodes when viewed from the side. r

My invention contemplates providing a construction of space discharge tube for pro ducing space conduction by ionization in which electrodes are constructed and positioned in a manner such as to reduce interelectrode capacitance. to a minimum, whereby the space discharge tube can be effectively used in communication systems, particularly for the production of oscillations. In my copending application, Serial Number 561,837 filed September 9, 1931, I have disclosed the circuits employed with such a tubefor producing sustained high frequency oscillations for signaling purposes.

Referring to the drawing in detail and particularly to Fig. 1, there is provided a containing envelope 1 which maybe composed of any .suitable material such as glass or fused quartz. This envelope 1 is provided showing the.

with presses=2and 3 positioned on opposite sides of the envelope.- An extruded portion 4. of the envelope 1 is provided to permit of the sealing off of the envelope from avacuum system. In accordance with my inven:

tion the envelope 1 is substantially exhausted and, filled witha'suitable gas ata desirable pressure In experiments I have determined that h'elium at a pressure of substantially 12 mm. of, mercury produces satisfactory re suits for the purposes indicated.

Electrodes 5 and'6 are sealed inthe presses 2 and 3, respectively, and extend externally of the envelope 1. These electrodes 5 and 6 are formedof round metal rods, theends of which are reduced to form fiat spatulate portions 7 and 8. These rods may becomposed of nickel or other suitable material.

It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the plane .of the major. surface of the flat portion 7 of electrode 5is substantially at right anglesto the plane of the major surface of the fiat portion 8' ofelectjrode 6. Further as shown in Fig. 3, the fiat portion 8 "forms anobtuse angle with the axis of the electrode 6, whereby but one corner of the spatulate portion '8 is proximate to the spatulate portion 7 of ,electrode5 to form a small gap across which gaseous ionization takes place. It will :be further noted "from Fig. 3 that the electrodes 5 and6 arenon-axiallydisposed with referenceto each'other.

The foregoing construction and arrange ment of electrodes provides for minimum inter-electrode capacitance. I'have found in my experiments that the conditions described provide for the efficient production of relaxation oscillations when a suitable potential difference is applied to the electrodes. In experiments when producing oscillations, it was noted that the ionization discharge occurs in the form of an enveloping glow along whichever electrode may have a negative potential with respect to the other electrode. In accordance with my invention this glow or 7 space discharge is brought about by gaseous ionization between electrodes which are substantially cold as compared with the well known thermionic emissive electrodes.

Although I have shown one embodiment of 9 l spect to eachother and furthernon-axially my space discharge tube it will; of course, be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes can be made therein without departing from the intended scope of my invention. I do not 8 therefore desire to limit myself to the foregoing except insofar as may be pointed out in the appended claims. I

What I claim is new and original and desire to secure Letters Patent of the United 1. A space discharge tube comprising, an envelope with an attenuated atmosphere of gas therein and a plurality of electrodes within said envelope having respectively ad'acent spatulate end portions disposed in di erent planes with respect to each other.

2.:A space discharge tube comprising,-an envelope with an attenuated atmosphere of gas therein and a plurality of rod-like electrodes within said envelope having respectively adjacent spatulate end portions dis: posed in different planes with respect to each other." 1 V v 1 3. A space discharge tube comprising, an envelope with an attenuated atmosphere of gas therein and a pair of rod-like electrodes within saidjenvelope and extending from sub-' stantially opposite sides thereof having respectively-adjacent spatulate end portions disposed in different planes with respect to each-other. N I 1 "4. A space discharge tube comprising, an envelope with an attenuated atmosphere of gas therein'and a plurality of electrodes having respectively adjacent spatulate end portions disposed 'in' difl'erent planes with redisposed with respect ;to each other within said envelope.

- '5. A spacedischai'ge tubecomprisingy an envelope with an attenuated atmosphereof gas therein-,a pair of electrodes Within said envelopehaving respectively adjacent spatulate end portions; one of said spatulate portions being formed at an angle with respect to its respective electrode "to present a small area of spatulate portionproximate to the otherof saidelectrodes;

AUGUST 7 f 

